Jeremy Powers in full roadie regalia. Via Flickr by smthcriminal29
When Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly) crossed the finish line in today’s Mad River road race, the queen stage of the Green Mountain Stage Race, he was in second place, just seven seconds behind race winner David Veilleux (Kelly Benefit Strategies). More importantly, Powers took the overall lead in the event – his first ever yellow jersey – with a comfortable gap of over two minutes over his cyclocross teammate, reigning national ’cross champ Tim Johnson. The only remaining work that stands in Powers’ way is a criterium on Labor Day, which should prove a mere formality in the quest for the overall victory.
While the more knobby-oriented among the cyclocross scene were out strutting their stuff at MTB Worlds in Quebec, the Northeast-based roadie/’crossers were showing that they’d be a force to be reckoned when our favorite season finally rolls around. Powers and Johnson, who sit in first and second, respectively, in the General Classification, will both be racing again for the Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com team shortly, as will Jamey Driscoll (Jamis/Sutter Home on the road), who currently sits in fourth.
Just two seconds in front of Driscoll, in third place and spoiling a Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com podium “sweep,” is prominent ’crosser Gavin Mannion. Mannion also joined Johnson and Jesse Anthony for a cyclocrossers sweep of the recent Beverly Gran Prix downtown criterium in Massachusetts.
Overall GC Result Highlights:
1. Jeremy Powers, in 6:03:18, Jelly Belly p/b Kenda
2. Timothy Johnson, at 0:02:13 UnitedHealthcare p/b Maxxis
3. Gavin Mannion, at 0:02:26 Trek-Livestrong p/b RadioShack
4. Jamey Driscoll, at 0:02:28 Jamis/Sutter Home Professional Cycling
5. Cameron Cogburn, at 0:02:35 CCB/Wheelworks
See the complete results on the Green Mountain Stage Race website.
